Automatic fire-lighter



N. 0 D Y L W. M.

, (No Model.)

AUTOMATIC FIRE LIGHTER.

No. 581,357. Patented Apr.'2l7, 1897.

Nrrnn MARTIN IV. LYDQN, OF LAVRENGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC FIRE-LIGHTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 581,357', dated April 27', 1897.

Application filed ,Tune 30, 1896. Serial No. 597,655. (No model.) I

To a/ZZ whom, t ntay concer-1c:

Be it known that I, MARTIN W. LYDON, a

' citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fire- Lighters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in automatic fire-lighters, and has for its object to provide a device of this description by means of which a fire may be automatically lighted at a predetermined time without the attention of an attendant, thereby saving much time and fuel over the method now in use.

Vith these ends in view my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, and then specically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction and operation in detail, referring` to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is an elevation of my improvement, the cover thereof being swung open so as to show the interior of the casing and also showing the relative position of an alarmclock to my device for actuating the same; Fig. 2, a detail perspective of the cover or cap for the casing, with which is formed a flue. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line x of Fig. 4, the flue being shown in section and in operative position, and showing the match after it has been drawn over the roughened surface and in position to light the fuse; Fig. 4, a crosssection of the casing, showing the methodof supporting it upon the upright.

In carrying out my invention I provide a base A, from which projects upward the spring-arms B, so arranged as to receive the alarm-clock C and hold the same in position against accidental displacement. Also, projecting upward from the base is a standard or upright D, upon which the bracket E is adapted to slide and may be held in any desired adjustment by'a set-screw F. Formed with or secured to this bracket is a casing G, which Yserves to house the operating parts of my improvement and has a post H set therein, upon which is pivoted the actuating-lever I, and said lever terminates in a nose J, which is adapted to be engaged by the nose K of the trigger L, and this lever is givenI a tendency to revolve in the direction of the arrow by the spring M, which is coiled about the post, one end being secured to the back wall of the casing and the opposite end passed through a hole in the lever and bent across its outer edge, so as to serve as a clamp for holding a match N in position in the V-shaped groove O, formed in said edge. The inner walls of the casing are formed upon two circles, the larger of which serves as an igniting-surface, over which the head of the match is drawn, as indicated by Q.

The trigger L is pivoted at R to a suitable lug formed upon the casing and extends outward within the path of travel of the key S, so that when the alarm-clock is put in operation in the usual manner the revolving of the key S will force the trigger L from its normal position, thereby releasing the lever I and permitting it to revolve in the direction of the arrow, by which means the match will be ignited, as before described.

In order that the ignition of the match may be insured, a buffer-spring T is secured upon the inner wall of the casing and so arranged that as the match swings with the. lever the blank end thereof will pass into contact with this spring and ride thereon, so that the resiliency of said spring will tend to force the head of said match against the roughened surface Q, thereby increasing the friction therebetween.

The swinging of the lever I is limited by the stop-pin U, so that when the head of the match is brought into the proper position after having been ignited it will there remain until the lever has again been set, and the flame from the match is utilized by igniting the paper or other fuse V, which may be inserted within the flue W, said iiue being formed with or secured to the cap X, and this cap I prefer to pivot at Y to the casing, so that it may be swung into place after the match has been properly placed upon the le- IOO ver and again swung open, so as to remove the old match and substitute anew one therefor as well as to reset the lever for a further operation of the device.

A series of holes Z are formed in the lower portion of the cap, so that the proper amount of air maybe fed to the match and fuse when ignited to support the combustion thereof and also to forni a draft through the iiue which will cause the flame from the match and fuse to pass outward, whereby it will gain access to the fire to be lighted.

From this description it will be seen that it is only necessary to place a match in proper relative position upon the lever l, set said lever by bringing its nose into engagement with the nose of the trigger L, and set the alarm-clock at the predetermined time it is desired to start the fire, and so arrange the fuse V that it' will pass to the material to be light-ed to insure the starting of the desired iire at the time indicated by the alarm-clock.

My improvement is intended chieiiy for family use, where it effects a saving ot' about thirty-three per cent. of the coal which is now usedin most homes where the fire is run over night in ordei` that the house may be of a proper temperature when the family arises, as the necessity for running the iire all night to accomplish this result is obviated, since said iire may be started about half an hour before it is desired to use the same with the advantage of producing a better fire throughout the day than would otherwise be the case were the grate not cleaned over night.

In a number of homes it is the practice to permit the fire to go out at night for the sake of economy, and in winter much physical suffering will be saved, beside a saving of time in the morning, which is often sorely needed for rest.

My invention may also be used in connection with the ire-alarm system to light the fires under the boilers of tire-engines, thereby saving the time while the firemen are dressing and arriving upon the scene, which is quite important, as the smallest fraction of time under some circumstances means the saving or loss of vast properties, as well as lives, since it is often the case that a fire-engine answering the call arrives at the Conflagration without having a sullicient head of steam to operate effectively, thus permitting the fire to gain such headway as to pass beyond control.

My improvement may also be used in connection with stationary boilers where they are not run over night, but where it is necessary to have steam at a given time in the morning. It may also be used for blasting purposes where the condition requires some time for the operators to get to a safe distance, and would be more reliable than a fuse as to time.

The method of applying a lighter to a stove or the like is to first prepare the stove with kindling and coal the night before, arrange the damper for the draft, then place the lighter upon the covers of the ash-pit on the front of the stove, so that the iiue of the lighter will extend through the grate in such manner that when the paper fuse is lightedl in the ilue it can communicate with the paper in the stove-grate, and, finally, wind the clock and set it in place upon the base, so that the key S will be in position to strike the trigger and operate the saine to release the lever, whereby the match will be ignited to start the fuse.

Having thus fully described this invention, what I claim as new and useful is The hcreindescribed combination with an alarm-clock; a base for the support of said clock; spring-arms for holding said clock in position upon said base; an upright supported bythe base; a casing carried by said upright; a lever having a V-shaped edge pivoted within said casing; a spring for actuating said lever, said spring adapted to hold'a match upon the V-shaped edge of said lever; a roughened su rface over which the head of the match is drawn; a buffer-spring for insuring the contact of said head with said surface; a trigger for setting the lever against the action of the spring; a cap for closing the casing, said cap having draft-holes formed therein; and a iiue carried by the cap so arranged as to receive a fuse and permit its ignition by the match, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of sul scribing witnesses.

MARTIN lV. LYDON. Vitnesses:

S. S. WILLIAMSON, JOHN P. S. MAHONEY, JOHN P. BLACK.

IOO 

